Cavit Provincia di Pavia SanVigilio Pinot Grigio 2013
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Cavit swept onto the radar of American wine lovers in the 1970s as a pioneer of a then little-known white wine called Pinot Grigio. Prized for its crisp, elegant character, fruit flavors and delicate floral aroma, Pinot Grigio is a demanding grape to cultivate, but has flourished in northern Italy for over a century. Cavit has consistently championed this varietal in the U.S., earning its well-deserved title of America’s #1 Italian Pinot Grigio*. Additionally, Cavit produces a full range of high-quality, approachable and food-friendly wines including Pinot Noir, Prosecco, Chardonnay, Moscato, Rose, and Red Blend.
The Cavit winery is located in Trentino, Italy, a picturesque landscape of mountains, lakes, apple orchards and medieval castles. Vineyards in this region enjoy the warming effects of the “Ora del Garda,” a dry, balmy breeze that sweeps across nearby Lake Garda and protects the fruit from moisture and disease. Contrastingly cool evenings promote rich, intense aromas and flavors in the grapes. Winemaking is overseen by Anselmo Martini, a 20+ year industry veteran and one of northern Italy's top enologists. He earned his degree after several years of study at the renowned agricultural school and research center Istituto Agrario San Michele all’Adige (now known as the Edmund Mach Foundation). Over the years, Anselmo has become one of the most respected winemakers in the region, earned the title of “Winemaker of the Year” from “Guida Essenziale ai Vini d’Italia 2015” (“Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2015”) and for decades he has played an integral role in developing the winery’s reputation as Trentino’s leading wine producer.
Showing a unique rosy, purplish hue upon full ripeness, this “white” variety is actually born out of a mutation of Pinot Noir. The grape boasts two versions of its name, as well as two generally distinct styles. In Italy, Pinot Grigio achieves most success in the mountainous regions of Trentino and Alto Adige as well as in the neighboring Friuli—all in Italy’s northeast. France's Alsace and Oregon's Willamette Valley produce some of the world's most well-regarded Pinot Gris wine. California produces both styles with success.
Where Does Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio Come From?
Pinot Gris is originally from France, and it is technically not a variety but a clone of Pinot Noir. In Italy it’s called Pinot Grigio (Italian for gray), and it is widely planted in northern and NE Italy. Pinot Gris is also grown around the globe, most notably in Oregon, California, and New Zealand. No matter where it’s made or what it’s called, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio produces many exciting styles.
Tasting Notes for Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a dry, white wine naturally low in acidity. Pinot Grigio wines showcase signature flavors and aromas of stone fruit, citrus, honeysuckle, pear and almond. Alsatian styles are refreshing, expressive, aromatic (think rose and honey), smooth, full-bodied and richly textured and sometimes relatively higher in alcohol compared to their Italian counterpart. As Pinot Grigio in Italy, the style is often light and charming. The focus here is usually to produce a crisp, refreshing, lighter style of wine. While there are regional differences of Pinot Grigio, the typical profile includes lemon, lime and subtle minerality.
Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
The viscosity of a typical Alsatian Pinot Gris allows it to fit in harmoniously with the region's rich foods like pork, charcuterie and foie gras. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, with its citrusy freshness, works well as an aperitif wine or with seafood and subtle chicken dishes.
Sommelier Secrets
Given the pinkish color of its berries and aromatic potential if cared for to fully ripen, the Pinot Grigio variety is actually one that is commonly used to make "orange wines." An orange wine is a white wine made in the red wine method, i.e. with fermentation on its skins. This process leads to a wine with more ephemeral aromas, complexity on the palate and a pleasant, light orange hue.
Containing an exciting mix of wine producing subregions, Lombardy is Italy’s largest in size and population. Good quality Pinot noir, Bonarda and Barbera have elevated the reputation of the plains of Oltrepò Pavese. To its northeast in the Alps, Valtellina is the source of Italy’s best Nebbiolo wines outside of Piedmont. Often missed in the shadow of Prosecco, Franciacorta produces collectively Italy’s best Champagne style wines, and for the fun and less serious bubbly, find Lambrusco Mantovano around the city of Mantua. Lugana, a dry white with a devoted following, is produced to the southwest of Lake Garda.